The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) not only swept the general elections held in April this year, the party also became immensely richer in the process with its savings having increased six folds during the elections.
The expenditure report submitted by the BJD to the Election Commission of India shows that it collected Rs 27.4 crore — Rs 1.59 crore in cash and Rs 25.85 crore through cheques — from various sources after the announcement of the elections.
The opening balance of the regional party was Rs 2.73 crore before the elections while the closing balance amounted to Rs 19.13 crore. The party claimed to have spent Rs 10.48 crore during the elections held simultaneously to lok Sabha and State Assembly.